ProCon Award: Watkin Road Bridge Named Infrastructure Project of the Year
Danaher & Walsh Civil Engineering is proud to celebrate the success of Watkin Road Bridge, which has won the ProCon Leicestershire 2025 Infrastructure Project of the Year award.
The award was presented on 13 November 2025. It recognises the quality, technical capability and collaborative approach shown throughout the Watkin Road Bridge Replacement Scheme.
This achievement marks a proud moment for everyone involved in the project.
Supporting Leicester’s Regeneration
The bridge serves Freemens Meadow, one of Leicester’s key regeneration areas.
The area includes around 600 homes and a growing local business community. Therefore, reliable access is essential for residents, businesses and future development.
The former timber and steel bridge had reached the end of its design life. As a result, the area needed a modern replacement that could support long-term growth.
Delivering a Complex Bridge Replacement Scheme
Danaher & Walsh delivered the full bridge replacement scheme.
The works included two new 40-metre bridges, the demolition of the existing structure and upgraded junction works at Watkin Road and Upperton Road.
The project also improved pedestrian and cycle connections. These improvements now support safer and more accessible movement through the area.
Maintaining Access Throughout Construction
One of the project’s biggest achievements was maintaining access to Freemens Meadow throughout construction.
This required detailed planning, careful sequencing and close coordination with key stakeholders. The team worked closely with Leicester City Council’s Traffic Control team and Leicester City Football Club.
This coordination was especially important during matchdays and peak travel periods.
Despite the scale and complexity of the scheme, the team completed the works without significant disruption to residents, businesses or local road users.
Built on Collaboration
The project team worked with a shared ethos of “one team, one outcome”.
This approach brought all partners together behind a clear goal. It also supported strong communication, disciplined programme control and effective decision-making.
Barratt David Wilson Homes, BWB Consulting, Bentley Project Management and Leicester City Council all played an important role in the project’s success.
Together, the team created a collaborative working environment that has since been recognised as a benchmark for future urban infrastructure schemes.
Celebrating the Award
Reflecting on the award, Danaher & Walsh said:
“We are truly honoured to receive this ProCon Infrastructure award for our work on Watkin Road Bridge.
“This project was a landmark moment for our team. We delivered it on behalf of our client, Barratt David Wilson Homes, and worked closely with Leicester City Council throughout.
“The success of this scheme was built on strong partnerships. We would like to thank BWB for their engineering expertise, Bentley Project Management for their cost consultancy support, and Leicester City Council for their constructive engagement.
“From day one, the project team shared a clear goal. We wanted to create an infrastructure asset that improves connectivity and supports future growth for the local community.
“That spirit of collaboration continued through every stage of delivery. It is this shared commitment that we are proud to celebrate.
“Thank you again for this recognition. The result is a finished project of which we are all very proud.”
A Project That Leaves a Lasting Legacy
The completed bridge now provides a modern, resilient and future-ready asset for Leicester.
It improves connectivity for residents and businesses. It also enhances safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
In addition, the scheme supports the continued growth of the Freemens Meadow community.
This award celebrates more than engineering excellence. It also recognises the value of strong partnerships, shared purpose and careful project delivery.e.
